Saudi journo accused of 'apostasy' could face 'death penalty'
Riyadh, Dec 24 (ANI)
The editor of a Saudi Arabian website is likely to face death sentence after a judge accused him for apostasy.
According to Human Rights Watch Raif Badawi, who started the Free Saudi Liberals website to discuss the role of religion in Saudi Arabia, was arrested in June.
Badawi had initially been charged with the less serious offence of insulting Islam through electronic channels, but at a December 17 hearing a judge referred him to a more senior court and recommended he be tried for apostasy, the rights group said.
The organization said that Badawi's website included articles that were critical of senior religious figures, Gulf News reports.
Apostasy, the act of changing religious affiliation, carries an automatic death sentence in Saudi Arabia, along with crimes including blasphemy.